The amazing web site of Shakespeare's Sonnets.
Shakespeare's London. London Bridge.

SHAKESPEARE'S SONNETS

This is part of the web site of
Shakespeare's sonnets

SHAKESPEARE'S LONDON

A view of London Bridge circa
1600. Arches 6-10, centre of bridge.

From a photo-chromolithograph
made for the New Shakspere Society, from a drawing in Pepys' Collection
at Magdalene College, Cambridge. This is reputed to be the earliest genuine
view of London Bridge.

Note the two water buckets hanging
from long ropes under the two right hand arches. The exterior construction
of the buildings seems to be mostly of wood.

The bridge was built from 1176 to 1209. The Middlesex side is on
the left, the Surrey side on the right. For a long period it was the only
bridge across the Thames in London. On the Surrey side heads of traitors
were stuck on poles above Southwark tower, and may be seen in the drawing.
Parts of the bridge were continually collapsing, due to inadequate maintenance.
Revenues for its upkeep, derived from toll charges, rents etc., were usually
appropriated for other more frivolous purposes. Henry III is reputed to
have given all the revenues to his wife to spend as she pleased. In the
fourteenth century five arches fell into the river after a particularly
hard winter. The bridge was finally abandoned by the Victorians, being
deemed beyond economic repair.